'Tots' looks to create smiles

SANDPOINT — “Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” Mother Teresa

“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” Tom Wilson

“You take away all the other luxuries in life, and if you can make someone smile and laugh, you have given the most special gift: happiness.” Brad Garrett

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” William Arthur Ward

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” Joseph Addison

“The catch phrase for the day is ‘Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.’ ” Harvey Ball

If you do a quick search on the Internet to phrases that include the word, “smile,” you’ll find endless website filled with quotes about smiles, their power and their meaning.

But the true power of a smile — its joy, its magic and its light — can be found no further than at the other end of the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots program.

Each year, the community rallies together with the Lions to ensure more than 900 local youngsters have a chance to open that gift ­— THE gift, the one that is exactly what the wanted, that could only have come from Santa — and unleash a blinding smile of pure joy.

THAT is what the Sandpoint Lions work so hard to accomplish, THAT is what the community digs deep to accomplish. Please consider donating to Toys for Tots and help unleash those smiles.

Today, the Lions have received $3,175 in donations, bringing the total for this year to $17,534.04. Today’s generous donations come from: A Aaron’s Self Storage, $250; Pat Gooby, $250; Donald and Lori Morris, $100; Beta Sigma Phi Xp 1412, $50; Patricia J. Brown, $25; Terry and Paula Demers, $50; Marilyn Haddad, $50; anonymous, $750; Jacquelyn Knechtges, $100; Ron and Rose Chaney, $300; anonymous, $250; Big Lake Recreation, $250; Nancy and Thomas Renk, $50; Donald and Charlotte Butler, $200; anonymous, $100; David Mundell, $100; and Sharon’s Hallmark, $300.The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between. A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided.

Those who need help this year can apply at the Lions Den, 607 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint (west of Memorial Field next to the Bonner County Historical Museum.)

The Lions Den will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 19, so members can accept applications. Applications also are available at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office.

If you have any questions about Toys for Tots sign-up, call Judy Dabrowski, 208-290-5314.

Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Donations also can be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID, 83864

You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Kootenai Cutoff Road.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at:

Sagle — Stacey’s Country Kitchen and Travel America Plaza-Conoco.

Sandpoint — Farmin-Stidwell Elementary, Eagles, Sandpoint Fire Department, Columbia Bank, and Wells Fargo.

Kootenai and Ponderay — Columbia Bank, Bradley Insurance, North 40 Outfitters, and Samuels Store and Blue Heron Cafe.

Hope — Holiday Shores.